A COUNSELLING service plans to increase its support for people who are going through a breakdown of marriage.

That was the message given to Woking MP Humfrey Malins when he visited Relate’s town centre offices on Friday.

The marriage guidance, relationship and sex counselling service welcomed the MP to outline its work and the challenges Relate is facing.

Relate’s Jill Rawling said: “We were pleased that Mr Malins came to visit us and he was very surprised by the range of services we provide.

“We were very happy to tell him that next year in Maybury and Sheerwater we will be offering counselling at the children’s centre in Blackmore Crescent.”

As well as counselling for couples going through the trauma of break-ups, Relate also helps children caught in the middle with Relateen.

Mrs Rawling said: “The demand for Relateen is incredible. More and more people are recognising that children are often the worst affected casualties of a relationship breaking down.”

The registered charity offers the service to young people aged between 11 and 21 and Mrs Rawling said one of the biggest challenges was attracting funding for the free service.

Following his visit Mr Malins said: “They are a very dedicated group whose workload is ever-increasing. I always thought that Relate dealt only with marriage guidance but I have discovered that it deals with a whole raft of problems.

“The counsellors there believe the need for services is getting bigger. I thought they were a wonderful group of people who deal with a whole wealth of problems.

“We’re gradually seeing a build up in family break-ups, so the need for Relate’s services provided is incredible.”